“Justice shall flourish in His time, and fullness of peace forever” – Psalm 72:7
Every time we assemble for Eucharist, we are challenged to focus and listen attentively to the proclamation of the word of God, the message and the proclaimer. For it is in the word of God and the account of salvation history that we come to know both who we are and what our lives are all about. As I read and ponder the family record of Jesus, I witness the people who were just and some who were unjust. It is a messy genealogy yet it reflects the history of all our families.
In the Gospel of Matthew, we get the sequence of names. Christ becomes incarnated in the history of a people. This link teaches me also to reject every kind of discrimination. As sons and daughters of the Father, Jesus Christ ennobled both sexes, all races, tribes, ethnic groups among others.
In my life and in our works as Xaverian Brothers, together we aspire to the unity and peace of the kingdom of God, ever inspired by our Motto: “In Harmony Small Things Grow.” During our initial formation, we participated in the street kids’ program, youth ministries, catechetic and teaching. A quick look at the street kids found at various points in Bungoma, Kenya, they live in groups as if some form of nuclear families. They have no structures they call their own. At night, they sleep in their regular dark places, they call “Base.” As a means of survival, many of them have mastered the art of theft, they sell their catch at any price they are offered. They use part of their proceeds to buy “glue” which they sniff to keep them warm and awake. Basically, our young Brothers in the initial formation house take the initiative as a ministry to meet these kids, share, encourage and feed them. This has gone well as they feel appreciated, loved and above all remain hopeful.
Let us dream as a single human family, as fellow travelers sharing the same flesh, as children of the same earth which is our common home, each bringing the richness of his or her beliefs and convictions, each of us with his or her own voice, brothers and sisters of all.
Jesus, you are the prince of peace, you are the justice of the father. Grant us the courage to emulate your ministry by bringing healing to all our relationship. Grant us the wisdom to know what is pleasing to your father. Amen.
Brother Daniel Ssenyomo, C.F.X.
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For French, click here.